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This dish exemplifies the Chinese penchant for contrasting textures. Tender succulent pieces of chicken are paired with sweet, crunchy cashew nuts and a delicate sauce. While the original Chinese version would have used peanuts (as cashews were not traditionally featured in Chinese cookery), this adaptation showcases how the cuisine evolves while maintaining its core philosophy of textural harmony.
When cooking Chinese food, it's essential to think about the flavours and textures of ingredients working in harmony. Juicy chicken combined with succulent baby corn, tender vegetables, and salty, crunchy cashew nuts create a balanced dish where each element complements the others. A glossy sauce ties everything together without overwhelming delicate flavours.
Birmingham's defining curry, cooked hard and fast in a thin two-handled steel balti pan over a roaring flame. The high heat caramelises the masala onto the meat and burns off the oil, leaving a slightly smoky, tomato-forward sauce. Eaten straight from the pan with naan; the sauce is medium-thick, not soupy.
A bold, garlicky curry with a brisk curry-house kick. This jalfrezi-style dish uses plenty of fresh garlic, green chillies, and tandoori tikka, making it spicy but not overwhelming.
A classic Chinese dish bursting with the fragrance of black bean and garlic. Chicken wings are ideal for this preparation as they cook quickly in a high-heat wok while remaining succulent and flavourful. The fermented black beans add depth and a distinctive umami character that defines authentic Chinese cooking.
A curry-house jalfrezi inspired by a Balti House classic, featuring quick stir-fried peppers, chillies, onions and tender chicken in a light spiced sauce. It is traditionally dry and crisp, but can be adjusted for more sauce by adding extra base curry or stock.
A British-Indian pathia curry with a sweet-and-sour profile, tuned for balanced acidity and a hint of chilli warmth. The recipe uses lemon, mango chutney and sugar for tang/sweetness, with optional red food colouring for the classic curry-house appearance.
This is a hugely popular dish at Thai restaurants and takeaways, and my family love it. It is important to cut the chicken pieces so that they are about the same size as the cashews (although this is more for presentation as large chunks also work fine). You can mix the sauce and fry the cashews, chillies and chicken a day or so in advance, making this a dish you can cook up very quickly after work with little mess. The first time I tried making this recipe, I burnt the cashews and chillies. Don’t make the same mistake or you’ll have to start all over again. They don’t take long to colour in the oil and cashews aren’t cheap, so keep an eye on them. Although there’s nothing stopping you from doing so, the dried and fried chillies are not meant to be eaten. I like to serve this curry with jasmine rice.
This is a version of the fragrant Sichuan dish popularly known as 'Strange taste chicken' or bang-bang chicken because it incorporates many flavours simultaneously, hot, spicy, sour, sweet, and salty all in perfect balance. The sesame seeds add a crunchy texture that contrasts beautifully with tender chicken meat. Equally delicious served hot or at room temperature, making it ideal for entertaining.
Chow mein literally means 'stir-fried noodles' and this contemporary dish is equally popular throughout southern China as it is worldwide. Fresh egg noodles are quickly stir-fried with protein and vegetables, creating a harmonious balance of textures and flavours. The keys to success are properly cooked noodles, high-heat wok cooking, and precise timing.
This iconic American-Chinese dish combines deep-fried chicken with a sweet, spicy, and slightly tangy sauce. General Tso's chicken exemplifies the bold flavours of outside China Chinese cooking, where heat from dried chillies, sweetness from sugar, and complexity from vinegar create a sauce that is bold yet balanced. Restaurant-quality results require proper oil temperature and crispy, well-coated chicken.
Gluten-free popcorn chicken bites made with gram flour batter, inspired by overpriced drive-thru versions. Tender chicken pieces coated in spiced batter and tossed with tangy chutneys and fresh toppings for a flavorful, addictive snack.
Sticky rice toasts in a dry pan to a deep gold, ground to a coarse powder (khao khua). Mince fries hot with a splash of stock until just cooked. Off heat, fish sauce, lime juice, chilli powder, sliced shallot, spring onion and rice powder toss through. Lots of fresh herbs fold in at the end. Served with sticky rice and raw vegetable plate.
This classic Thai dish of noodles is both aromatic and lightly spicy, serving well as either a main course or a starter. Pad Thai combines stir-fried rice noodles with tender chicken, pork, and prawns in a balanced sauce of curry paste, oyster sauce, and fish sauce. Fresh herbs, crushed peanuts, and a squeeze of lime complete this iconic Thai street food favourite.
Samosas are the ultimate Indian snack: crispy, angular parcels of golden filo pastry enclosing spiced, fragrant filling. The technique is simple yet satisfying, triangular folding, egg wash sealing, and oven-baking creates a light, shattering crust. Unlike deep-fried versions, these are baked for a lighter result while maintaining crispness. Serve warm with chutney, raita, or lemon juice. These are elegant enough for entertaining, casual enough for snacking.
This is a classic western Chinese dish better known in China as Gongbao chicken (or Kung Pao chicken). Named after Chinese official Ding Baozhen, Governor of Sichuan province in the nineteenth century, it represents the region's bold approach to flavour: spicy, slightly sour, sweet, and savoury all at once. The combination of roasted peanuts and dried chilli creates an unforgettable sauce.